Splendours of Europe River Cruise

EMERALD WATERWAYS

The banks of Europe are lined with epic scenery, fairy tale castles and charming villages. Get right to the heart of it all with a value-packed MyCruises holiday. Board Emerald Waterway’s deluxe Star Ship for 15 days of luxury and adventure as you step back in time on the cobbled, medieval streets of Europe. Tour the canals of Amsterdam, discover Austria’s musical heritage, sample beer in Bavaria, and learn the fascinating history of the two cities that make up Hungary’s capital, Buda and Pest.

Valued At $12,990*pp
Our Price From $9,990*pp

Call 1300 692 784

The Ship

Emerald Star Ship

Emerald Waterway’s award-winning Star Ship is sleek and contemporary. Board the 442ft vessel and enjoy the personalised service that comes with a smaller cruise liner. With 72 suites that accommodate 182 guests, you won’t get lost in the crowd. Enjoy suburb amenities, hotel-style beds, and state-of-the-art features, including a 6×4 metre heated swimming pool that transforms into a cinema at night! With 360° views of the ever-changing scenery, a fitness centre, beauty centre, 5-star dining, and plenty of local guides on hand, the Star Ship is the best way to actively enjoy and learn about Europe in comfort and style!

Heated Swimming Pool

On-Board Cinema

Splendours of Europe River Cruise

Welcome aboard the Emerald Star! Once you have settled in you will have plenty of time to explore this fascinating historic city. Visit the floating flower markets, pick up some of the local Edam cheese or relax in a local cafe over looking the canals.

For over 400 years Amsterdam has been know as the City of Diamonds, why not visit the Diamond Museum to learn about how these precious stones are found, cut, polished and used not only in jewellery but medicine and manufacturing as well. If you have time, stop off and watch one of the diamond cutting demonstrations before heading back to the ship.

Founded by the Romans, Cologne is one of Germany’s oldest cities. Explore the old town with it’s beautiful squares, local markets and historical monuments. The highlight of this stop is the magnificent World–Heritage listed Gothic Cathedral. If you fancy going further afield book an excursion to Drachenburg Castle or Bruhl, famous for the Augustus Palace and Falkenlust.

Make sure to have your camera at the ready for today’s journey through the Rhine Gorge, packed full of stunning natural scenery and impressive castles. Including Pfalzgrafenstein Castle, set on an island in the middle of the river it was formally a toll gate. Working with the nearby fortified town of Kaub to collect money form traders passing through. As the ship winds downriver you will see the sites of many local fairy tales and folklores including the tale of Lorelei Rock. Shipwrecks have been recorded here as far back as the middle ages, a forlorn woman is said to sit atop the cliff combing her hair luring sailors onto the rocks.

Arrive at today’s final destination, the popular German town of Rüdesheim. Activities here include cable car rides up to the impressive Germania monument with amazing views of the Rhine Valley, then free time to shop for handicrafts or taste the famous Rüdesheim ice coffee.

Welcome to Bavaria! Step back to the middle ages as you take a tour of picture perfect village Miltenberg, with its timber houses and narrow cobbled streets. If you want to go further afield join the organised hike to Wertheim Castle, built in the 12th Century and partially destroyed in The Thirty Years’ War, now a popular tourist destination.

Würzburg is at the heart of Franconian wine country, surrounded by sloping hills covered with vineyards. The city has many wine bars, cellars and wineries where you can try the local wine in the characteristic Bocksbeutel bottles. After a walking tour of the city make sure to visit UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Bishops’ Residenz. One of Germany’s largest and most ornate baroque palaces featuring the elaborate staircase, 18th Century frescoes by Tiepolo, and the amazing 3–dimensional stuccowork. Close to Würzburg are other fantastic attractions such as Rothenburg, a perfectly preserved fortified town dating back to the middle ages, boasting unique gothic, renaissance and baroque architecture.

After cruising down the Danube Canal arrive in Bamberg, this medieval Bavarian town has been preserved as a UNESCO World Heritage site with around 2,400 listed buildings. You can’t visit Bavaria without trying some of the local brews, said to have one of the densest concentrations of breweries in the world, Bamberg is famous for its Rauchbier, a smoked beer.

The Nuremberg Justice Palace was the location of the War Crimes Tribunal in 1946, known as the Nuremberg Trials. For history enthusiasts other WWII sites include the WWII Documentation Centre and the Nazi party rally grounds, where rallies were held from 1933 until 1938. This medieval Bavarian city is packed full character including highlights such as the charming Imperial castles boasting 900-year-old ramparts. Back on board the Emerald Star enjoy an EU lecture in the evening.

Your Voyage today takes you down the remainder of the fascinating Main–Danube-Canal to Kelheim, and then along the Danube River to Regensburg, one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities and home to the oldest bridge to cross the Danube. Wander through the city and have a look at the Old Town Hall, or perhaps book an excursion to Weltenburg Abbey. Back aboard the Emerald Star enjoy the evening with a traditional Bavarian Band.

Passau in Germany is home to Europe’s largest church organ which has more than 17,000 pipes, sitting inside St. Stephen’s Cathedral with it’s amazing baroque architecture. Wander the narrow cobblestone streets and admire the Oberhaus Fortress looming above the town. If you are a fan of ‘The Sound of Music’ or Mozart, the excursion to Salzburg is a must!

Welcome to Austria! Today will consist of two stops, the first situated within Austria’s wine region. Melk is home to an striking 900–year old Benedictine Abbey which features Austria’s finest Italian baroque architecture, with ornate gold leaf walls, a 640ft Imperial Corridor and fresco ceilings. After a scenic cruise through the spectacular Wachau Valley you will arrive in Dürnstein, one of the most enchanting villages of the Wachau wine region. It was here that Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned after returning from the crusades in the 12th Century. If you fancy an active adventure sign up for today’s bike ride along the banks of the Danube.

Vienna is Austria’s capital city and home to great minds such as Mozart, Beethoven and Sigmund Freud. The Architecture is not bad either with the world famous Opera House, the Hofburg Imperial Palace, and the Schonbrunn Palace to wow you on your tour of Vienna.

Welcome to Slovakia! Bratislava the Capital city is a melting pot of cultures including Celtic, Roman and Slavic. Formerly part of Czechoslovakia, and under communist rule the country has a fascinating history. Enjoy a sightseeing tour including the enchanting Old City with its Town Hall, Mirbach Palace and the Gothic Cathedral of St Martin. The highlight of your stop in Bratislava will be a home hosted afternoon tea with a local Slovakian family. Followed by an evening with the Captain at the the Captain’s Gala Dinner.

Welcome to Budapest, Hungary’s capital and Eastern Europe’s liveliest city. Made up of two separate cities Buda and Pest set on either side of the Danube, joined by several iconic bridges including the Chain Bridge and Elisabeth Bridge. There are so many things to do in Budapest you will be spoiled for choice! You will enjoy a night cruise aboard the Emerald Star as she passes under the city’s bridges, all whilst you enjoy a traditional Hungarian farewell dinner, complete with folk dancing and music.

Relaxed and refreshed, it is time to disembark the Emerald Star and enjoy the rest of your adventure through Europe on land.

Exclusive Upgrade

Emerald Balcony Suite

Upgrade to the Emerald Balcony Suites from $899 per person

Located on the Horizon and Vista Decks, these spacious suites feature an innovative design which means at the touch of a button the top half of your floor-to-ceiling window folds down to create an indoor balcony. Wake up each morning to fantastic views of the canals and rivers of Europe.

Call our My Cruises experts today to find out more about upgrading your cabin as part of your cruise deal.

Travel Dates

Sail Date: 4 August 2017
Other sail date available: 3 August 2017

Cruise itinerary can also be in the reverse from Budapest to Amsterdam
Sail dates: 5 August & 19 October 2017

Surcharges may apply

Please call one of our My Cruises Experts for more information!

Valued At $12,990*pp
Our Price From $9,990*pp

Call 1300 692 784

Prices are based on per person, twin share, in AUD and subject to availability. Prices are subject to change without notice, until reservation is confirmed. Flights may not be direct or operate daily. Cruise itineraries may be varied due to high or low water levels, flooding, lock closures, unscheduled vessel maintenance or for any other circumstances beyond our control. Cabin upgrade is subject to availability at time of booking. Complimentary Deck Upgrade from Category C (Vista Deck) to Category P (Horizon Deck)